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Study Objective To assess the effects of noninvasive ventilation (NIV) during spontaneous breathing anesthesia on functional residual capacity and ventilation distribution. Design Prospective and observational study. Setting Operating room, military teaching hospital. Patients Eighteen adult patients submitted to digestive endoscopic procedures under spontaneous breathing anesthesia. Interventions Anesthetic management was standardized. Patients were submitted to combined digestive endoscopic procedures (gastric fibroscopy and colonoscopy) under spontaneous breathing anesthesia in lateral decubitus position. Anesthesia was induced with propofol intravenous 1 mg/kg. Repeated boluses of propofol were administered according to the patients' clinical needs during endoscopic procedures. Ventilation distribution and functional residual capacity were assessed by electrical impedance tomography. Measurements Ventilation distribution was assessed by electrical impedance changes in left and right lung, and functional residual capacity changes were evaluated by measurement of end-expiratory lung impedance changes. Measures were performed before anesthesia induction, 5 minutes after anesthesia induction during gastric fibroscopy, at the end of gastric fibroscopy, 5 minutes after NIV application during colonoscopy, and at the end of colonoscopy. Main Results In awake patients, tidal volume was primarily distributed to the dependent lung (57.5% vs 43.1%; P =.009). After anesthesia induction, we observed a shift of ventilation to the nondependent lung (43.1% before anesthesia, 58.9% after anesthesia; P =.002) and marked decrease in end-expiratory lung impedancemetry of −1.68UI (4.47). Noninvasive ventilation application resulted in a significant increase of end-expiratory lung impedancemetry of 1.33 (6.49) ( P =.005) but did not impact ventilation distribution. Conclusions This study showed that NIV application in pressure support mode during spontaneous breathing anesthesia increased functional residual capacity. Other studies are needed to evaluate the clinical impact of this technique during anesthesia, especially in patients with poor respiratory conditions.

Aim Over-triage rates related to the use of Vittel criteria are unknown. We compared severe stable trauma patients with and without significant visceral injuries. Study design A single-centre retrospective analysis of a single-centre prospective cohort. Patients and methods Trauma patients with at least one positive Vittel criterion from June 2010 to January 2012 in a level-1 trauma centre. Initial management included a systematic whole-body scanner. All significant lesions in stable trauma patients were recorded. Results A total of 252 trauma patients were admitted. One hundred and twenty were stable. In this group without vital distress, 72 (60%) had at least one occult lesion, 21 (17.5%) had an isolated orthopaedic injury and 27 (22.5%) had no injury. Thoracic injuries accounted for 44% of visceral injuries, abdominal for 17%, spinal for 16% and cerebral for 15%. Overall, the over-triage rate was 19%. Surgery for significant visceral injury was performed in 13 patients (18%) and arteriography in 4 patients (5.5%). Admission in an intensive care unit was required for 13 patients with occult injuries and for one patient without such a lesion (18% versus 2%, P = 0.008). Hospital stays were longer in the group with visceral injuries (4 ± 7 versus 9 ± 8 days; P = 0.006). Conclusion Vittel criteria use in trauma patients induces an acceptable over-triage rate. A large proportion of stable trauma patients have occult lesions. These visceral injuries frequently require special care. These data highlight the imperative need to transport major trauma patients immediately to a dedicated trauma centre and supports whole-body scanner use.

Resume Decrire les caracteristiques des evenements indesirables de novembre 2009 a decembre 2013 declares par systeme informatique, et en discuter l’apport pour la mise en place des comites de retour d’experience. Etude retrospective monocentrique. L’analyse des evenements indesirables a porte sur les caracteristiques du patient, l’heure, le lieu de survenue, la nature et les consequences de l’evenement. Sur la periode de l’etude, 268 evenements etaient declares. Le taux d’evenements indesirables declares etait de 1,1 %. L’âge median des patients etait de 61 ans, le score ASA median etait de 2. Les declarations etaient faites dans 53,3 % des cas par les medecins, et le plus souvent entre 8 h et 14 h (57,4 %). Les evenements declares survenaient le plus souvent en salle d’intervention (70 % des cas), et etaient lies a un defaut d’organisation dans 29,1 % des cas. Ils etaient consideres graves dans 7,8 % des cas. Le score ASA des patients chez lesquels un evenement indesirable grave survenait etait significativement plus eleve. Les evenements indesirables declares sont le plus souvent des evenements porteurs de risque qui surviennent en heure ouvrable. La mise en place des comites de retour d’experience s’inscrit dans une politique de securite des soins dont l’objectif est d’analyser ces evenements puis d’en faire le retour d’experience au profit de l’equipe. Leur travail repose sur un signalement efficace et exhaustif de ces evenements. Le recueil informatise des EI peut etre une aide pour ces comites en favorisant le processus de declaration.

BACKGROUNDCatheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) are among the most common hospital-acquired infections (HAIs). Reducing CAUTI rates has become a major focus of attention due to increasing public health concerns and reimbursement implications.OBJECTIVETo implement and describe a multifaceted intervention to decrease CAUTIs in our ICUs with an emphasis on indications for obtaining a urine culture.METHODSA project team composed of all critical care disciplines was assembled to address an institutional goal of decreasing CAUTIs. Interventions implemented between year 1 and year 2 included protocols recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for placement, maintenance, and removal of catheters. Leaders from all critical care disciplines agreed to align routine culturing practice with American College of Critical Care Medicine (ACCCM) and Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA) guidelines for evaluating a fever in a critically ill patient. Surveillance data for CAUTI and hospital-acquired bloodstream infection (HABSI) were recorded prospectively according to National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) protocols. Device utilization ratios (DURs), rates of CAUTI, HABSI, and urine cultures were calculated and compared.RESULTSThe CAUTI rate decreased from 3.0 per 1,000 catheter days in 2013 to 1.9 in 2014. The DUR was 0.7 in 2013 and 0.68 in 2014. The HABSI rates per 1,000 patient days decreased from 2.8 in 2013 to 2.4 in 2014.CONCLUSIONSEffectively reducing ICU CAUTI rates requires a multifaceted and collaborative approach; stewardship of culturing was a key and safe component of our successful reduction efforts.Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2017;38:186–188

Hemostasis disorders are one of the major clinical conditions of snakebites and are because of mechanisms which may disrupt vessels, platelets, clotting factors and fibrinolysis. Thromboelastography (TEG) could help to understand these effects in the clinical practice. A retrospective study reports a series of patients presenting a snakebite-related coagulopathy, treated with antivenom and monitored with conventional tests and TEG in a French military treatment facility (Republic of Djibouti, East Africa) between August 2011 and September 2013. Conventional coagulation assays (platelets, prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, fibrinogen) and TEG measurements were taken on arrival and at various times during the first 72 h of hospitalization, at the discretion of the physician. The study included 14 patients (median age 28 years). Bleedings were present in five patients. All patients received antivenom. A coagulopathy was present in all patients and was detected by both conventional assays and TEG. None exhibited thrombocytopenia. Prothrombin time and fibrinogen remained abnormal for most of patients during the first 72 h. The TEG profiles of 11 patients (79%) showed incoagulability at admission (R-time > 60 min). TEG distinguished 10 patients with a generalized clotting factor deficiency and 4 patients with an isolated fibrinogen deficiency after an initial profile of incoagulability. Hyperfibrinolysis was evident for 12 patients (86%) after Hour 6. Snake envenomations in Djibouti involve a consumption coagulopathy in conjunction with delayed hyperfibrinolysis. TEG could improve medical management of the condition and assessment of additional therapeutics associated with the antivenom.

Purpose Methods to optimize positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) remain controversial despite decades of research. The pressure–volume curve (PVC), a graphical ventilator relationship, has been proposed for prescription of PEEP in ARDS. Whether the use of PVC’s improves survival remains unclear. Methods In this systematic review, we assessed randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing PVC-guided treatment with conventional PEEP management on survival in ARDS based on the search of the National Library of Medicine from January 1, 1960, to January 1, 2010, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. Three RCTs were identified with a total of 185 patients, 97 with PVC-guided treatment and 88 with conventional PEEP management. Results The PVC-guided PEEP was associated with an increased probability of 28-day or hospital survival (odds ratio [OR] 2.7, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.5, 4.9) using a random-effects model without significant heterogeneity ( I2 test: P = .75). The PVC-guided ventilator support was associated with reduced cumulative risk of mortality (−0.24 (95% CI −0.38, −0.11). The PVC-managed patients received greater PEEP (standardized mean difference [SMD] 5.7 cm H2O, 95% CI 2.4, 9.0) and lower plateau pressures (SMD −1.2 cm H2O, 95% CI −2.2, −0.2), albeit with greater hypercapnia with increased arterial pCO2 (SMD 8 mm Hg, 95% CI 2, 14). Weight-adjusted tidal volumes were significantly lower in PVC-guided than conventional ventilator management (SMD 2.6 mL/kg, 95% CI −3.3, −2.0). Conclusion This analysis supports an association that ventilator management guided by the PVC for PEEP management may augment survival in ARDS. Nonetheless, only 3 randomized trials have addressed the question, and the total number of patients remains low. Further outcomes studies appear required for the validation of this methodology.

Management of critically ill patients in austere environments is a logistic challenge. Availability of oxygen cylinders for the mechanically ventilated patient may be difficult in such a context. One solution is to use a ventilator able to function with an oxygen concentrator (OC).We tested two Elisée™ 350 ventilators paired with SeQual Integra 10-OM oxygen concentrators (OC) (Chart Industries, http://www .chartindustries.com) and evaluated the delivered fraction of inspired oxygen (Fio2). Ventilators were connected to a test lung and Fio2 was measured and indicated by the ventilator. Continuous oxygen was generated by the OC from 0.5L/min to 10L/min, and administered by the specific inlet port of the ventilator. Several combinations of ventilator settings were evaluated to determine the factors affecting the delivered Fio2.The Elisée 350 turbine ventilator is able to deliver a high Fio2 when functioning with an OC. However, modifications of the ventilator settings such as an increase in minute ventilation, inspiratory-to-expiratory ratio, and positive end-expiratory pressure affect delivered Fio2 despite steady-state oxygen flow from the concentrator.OCs provide an alternative to oxygen cylinders for delivering high Fio2 with a turbine ventilator. Nevertheless, Fio2 must be monitored continuously, since it decreases when minute ventilation is increased.

OBJECTIVEBlunt cerebrovascular injuries (BCVIs) affect approximately 1% of patients with blunt trauma. An antithrombotic or anticoagulation therapy is recommended to prevent the occurrence or recurrence of neurovascular events. This treatment has to be carefully considered after severe traumatic brain injury (TBI), due to the risk of intracranial hemorrhage expansion. Thus, the physician in charge of the patient is confronted with a hemorrhagic and ischemic risk. The main objective of this study was to determine the incidence of BCVI after severe TBI.METHODSThe authors conducted a prospective, observational, single-center study including all patients with severe TBI admitted in the trauma center. Diagnosis of BCVI was performed using a 64-channel multidetector CT. Characteristics of the patients, CT scan results, and outcomes were collected. A multivariate logistic regression model was developed to determine the risk factors of BCVI. Patients in whom BCVI was diagnosed were treated with systemic anticoagulation.RESULTSIn total, 228 patients with severe TBI who were treated over a period of 7 years were included. The incidence of BCVI was 9.2%. The main risk factors were as follows: motorcycle crash (OR 8.2, 95% CI 1.9–34.8), fracture involving the carotid canal (OR 11.7, 95% CI 1.7–80.9), cervical spine injury (OR 13.5, 95% CI 3.1–59.4), thoracic trauma (OR 7.3, 95% CI 1.1–51.2), and hepatic lesion (OR 13.3, 95% CI 2.1–84.5). Among survivors, 82% of patients with BCVI received systemic anticoagulation therapy, beginning at a median of Day 1.5. The overall stroke rate was 19%. One patient had an intracranial hemorrhagic complication.CONCLUSIONSBlunt cerebrovascular injuries are frequent after severe TBI (incidence 9.2%). The main risk factors are high-velocity lesions and injuries near cervical arteries.

To reduce the risk of accidental needlestick injuries, first active then passive safety devices were developed on IV catheters. However, whether these catheters are easy to implement and really protect personnel from accidental needlestick is untested.In this prospective randomized survey, we compared a passive safety catheter with an active safety catheter and a nonsafety classic catheter. The main objective was to evaluate the difficulty of inserting the catheters in terms of the number of insertion failures, difficulties introducing the catheter and withdrawing the needle, and the normality of the blood reflux in the delivery system. The second objective was to determine the degree of exposure to patients' blood evaluated as the number of exposures of the staff and blood splashes of the environment, and the staff's sense of protection.Seven hundred fifty-nine assessment cards were collected. The number of failures for the three catheter groups was similar and not statistically different. Introduction of the catheter was more difficult with the active safety catheter. Needle withdrawal was more difficult with the passive safety catheter. The blood reflux was abnormal more often with the safety catheters. The staff's exposure was more frequent with the active safety catheter. The number of blood splashes was more common with the safety catheters.Safety catheters are not superior with regard to failure rate in the catheter's placement. Users feel better protected, but find the use of safety catheters more difficult, and their handling generates more splashing of blood into the environment. The passive safety catheter is more efficient than the active safety catheter with regard to ease of introduction of the catheter into the vein and the staff's exposure to the patient's blood.

The French army is often engaged in stability and support operations in Africa, and its military health service has gained much experience. The goal of this article is to present our military medical management strategies during the two main phases of military action. These situations most often begin with an initial combat phase, with combat casualty care. This consists of first aid, i.e., treatment of bleeding points, followed by battlefield forward medical care, damage control surgery, and resuscitation in forward surgical units. The quieter second phase of peacekeeping operations is dominated by the management of tropical diseases and their prevention, essential for the preservation of the military strength.

Introduction Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) causes severe diarrhoea and vomiting, leading to dehydration and electrolyte abnormalities. Treatment remains supportive and often requires intravenous (IV) access. IV catheters are difficult to insert and maintain in this context. Our primary objective was to compare peripheral venous catheters (PVCs) and central venous catheters (CVCs) for volume resuscitation in patients with EVD. Material and methods We performed a prospective observational study between January and March 2015 at the Conakry Healthcare Workers Ebola Treatment Unit (ETU). The primary judgement criterion was the ratio of the daily infused volume of fluids to the prescribed volume (DIV/PV). Results Fourteen patients were admitted. Twenty-eight PVCs and 8 CVCs were inserted. CVCs had a longer survival time (96 ± 34 hours versus 33.5 ± 21 hours, P

Background: Extraperitoneal laparoscopy has become a common technique for many surgical procedures, especially for inguinal hernia surgery. Investigations of physiological changes occurring during extraperitoneal carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) insufflation mostly focused on blood gas changes. To date, the impact of extraperitoneal CO 2 insufflation on respiratory mechanics remains unknown, whereas changes in respiratory mechanics have been extensively studied in intraperitoneal insufflation. Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of extraperitoneal CO 2 insufflation on respiratory mechanics. Patients and Methods: A prospective and observational study was performed on nine patients undergoing laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair. Anesthetic management and intraoperative care were standardized. All patients were mechanically ventilated with a tidal volume of 8 mL/kg using an Engstrom Carestation ventilator (GE Healthcare). Ventilation distribution was assessed by electrical impedance tomography (EIT). End-expiratory lung volume (EELV) was measured by a nitrogen wash-out/wash-in method. Ventilation distribution, EELV, ventilator pressures and hemodynamic parameters were assessed before extraperitoneal insufflation, and during insufflation with a PEEP of 0 cmH 2 O, 5 cmH 2 0 and of 10 cmH 2 0. Results: EELV and thoracopulmonary compliance were significantly decreased after extraperitoneal insufflation. Ventilation distribution was significantly higher in ventral lung regions during general anesthesia and was not modified after insufflation. A 10 cmH 2 0 PEEP application resulted in a significant increase in EELV, and a shift of ventilation toward the dorsal lung regions. Conclusions: Extraperitoneal insufflation decreased EELV and thoracopulmonary compliance. Application of a 10 cmH 2 0 PEEP increased EELV and homogenized ventilation distribution. This preliminary clinical study showed that extraperitoneal insufflation worsened respiratory mechanics, which may justify further investigations to evaluate the clinical impact.

To compare two different techniques of percutaneous tracheostomy: Griggs' forceps-dilational technique and Fantoni's translaryngeal technique, both performed with the manufacturer's basic kit and with bronchoscopic guidance.A prospective, randomized trial was designed to compare the two tracheostomy techniques. Critically ill patients requiring elective tracheostomy for long-term ventilation were randomized for translaryngeal tracheostomy or forceps-dilational tracheostomy.Intensive care unit of a military teaching hospital.A total of 100 adult patients in the intensive care unit who were mechanically ventilated.All tracheostomy procedures were performed at the bedside by using a commercially available set. The procedures were performed by two surgeons, one for bronchoscopic guidance and management of the airway and one for the tracheostomy.The measurements were divided into procedure-related variables (duration, technical difficulties, oxygenation): major and minor complications. The procedure was longer in the translaryngeal technique group (12.9 vs. 6.9 mins, p =.0018). Technical difficulties occurred in 11 patients in the translaryngeal technique group. Uneventful forceps dilational tracheostomy was performed instead. There has been no mortality associated with either technique. Serious complications occurred in one patient in the forceps-dilational technique group (one posterior tracheal wall injury) and in four patients in the translaryngeal technique group (one with a posterior tracheal wall injury and three with severe hypoxia). Significant hypercarbia and acidosis occurred in both the translaryngeal technique group and the forceps-dilational technique group. A significant decrease in Pao2 was observed in the translaryngeal technique group (311 to 261, p =.0069). No bleeding requiring intervention occurred.Serious complications related to percutaneous tracheostomy occurred in 8.5% and 1.8% of the cases in the translaryngeal technique and the forceps-dilational technique group, respectively (p.001). Technical difficulties were not rare when using the translaryngeal technique (23%). On the basis of our results, we concluded that the forceps-dilation technique is superior to the translaryngeal technique, with fewer technical difficulties and fewer complications for critically ill patients.

The case of a patient with a zone II penetrating neck injury who was intubated successfully utilizing the gum elastic bougie (GEB) is reported. He presented at a forward operational base in Afghanistan with a shrapnel wound in his neck as well as a cough and hoarseness. There were two wounds on each side of his laryngeal cartilages. The patient's breathing rate gradually increased and labored inhalation developed while the aeromedical evacuation was delayed for tactical reasons. Subcutaneous emphysema and edema concealed the anatomical landmarks, making a cricothyrotomy unsafe, and no fiber optic devices were available on site. Intratracheal intubation was decided upon by the doctors involved. Because of the anticipated difficultly of intubation, the GEB was used from the outset. During direct laryngoscopy, edema, blood, and mucus concealed the anatomic reliefs of the larynx. The glottis was not visible. On the second attempt, “clicks” were clearly perceived and the tube was railroaded over the bougie. Finally, the patient was evacuated to an Afghan military hospital.In this report, the benefit-risk balance for the use of the GEB in penetrating neck trauma is discussed. Although the use of the GEB cannot be recommended in all cases of penetrating neck injury, it should be considered as an option. This technique is not without risk, but in very remote settings or hostile environments, especially when cricothyrotomy is not possible, it can be lifesaving.DanielY, de RegloixS, KaiserE. Use of a gum elastic bougie in a penetrating neck trauma. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2014;29(2):1-2.

Introduction La reanimation ne peut se concevoir sans oxygene (2). L’approvisionnement, le transport et le stockage de l’O2 demandent des ressources importantes, rendant la disponibilite de celui-ci aleatoire dans les pays en voie de developpement [1] et sur les theâtres d’operations exterieures. Une alternative a l’O2 pressurise ou liquide est l’extraction de l’O2 de l’air par un extracteur d’oxygene (EO). Le couple EO/ventilateur dont nous disposons permet de delivrer [2] , [3] , une FiO2 de 80 %. Le but de cette etude est d’evaluer les situations necessitant le recours a l’O2 mural dans une reanimation ou la principale source d’O2 sont les EO. Materiel et methodes L’EO en dotation est le CO Integra 10™ (10 L/min a FiO2 92 %), les ventilateurs en dotation sont les LTV 1000 et 1200 (Pulmonetic system). Sont inclus tous les patients admis en reanimation necessitant une oxygenotherapie (ventilation spontanee au masque, ventilation non invasive en pression positive, ventilation mecanique invasive). Le suivi debute a l’admission du patient en reanimation et est realise quotidiennement jusqu’a sa sortie. Tous les patients inclus sont oxygenes par EO par defauts. L’echec d’oxygenation par EO est defini par la necessite de recours a l’O2 mural : – impossibilite technique de delivrer de l’O2 par le CO ; – un rapport PaO2/FiO2 Resultats Vingt patients ont ete inclus du 12/07/2014 au 17/10/2014. 65 % de femme et 35 % d’hommes âges en moyenne de 38,9 ans (13–70 ans). Les motifs d’admission etaient medicaux dans 50 % des cas, traumatologique dans 30 % des cas et chirurgicaux pour les 20 % restants. Les scores APACHE II etaient de 14,45 en moyenne (0–35) et IGS2 de 31,8 (0–74). La duree de sejour moyenne etait de 4,45 jour en moyenne (1–9). Le taux de patient traite pour une infection est de 66,9 %. Quatre patients (20 %) sont decedes dont 3 apres limitation et/ou arret des therapeutiques actives. Le nombre de jours d’oxygenotherapie sous EO etait au total de 112 (38 jours de ventilation invasive, 74 jours de VS ou VNI), avec 6 jours de recours a l’O2 mural (5,3 %). Les causes de recours a l’oxygene mural/bouteille etaient : – SDRA severe avec PaO2/FiO2 – les patients traumatises ou chirurgicaux de retour du bloc ou en partance pour le bloc ; – defaillance respiratoire aigue necessitant une intubation en extreme urgence. La FiO2 moyenne delivree etait de 44,6 % (25–75) pour des debit d’O2 moyen de 4,1 L/min (1–10) pour une ventilation minute de 8,3 L/min (5,2–12,1). Discussion Les EO permettent une economie d’O2 au sein d’une reanimation, l’utilisation d’O2 hyperbare est indispensable dans des situation urgente (arret respiratoire, intubation en urgence), pour les patients necessitant des FiO2 > 80 % ou le transports des patients. Il parait donc raisonnable d’utiliser les EO comme source principale d’O2 en reanimation dans les pays ou un acces fiable a l’oxygene est difficile, mais ceux ci ne permettent pas de s’affranchir de l’utilisation episodique d’une source d’O2 hyperbare.

Almost 50% of military trauma patients who need transfusions develop a coagulopathy. Immediately treating this coagulopathy improves the patient?s prognosis. Field military hospitals often lack laboratory devices needed to diagnose a clinically significant coagulopathy and have limited blood product resources such as plasma. Point-of-care (POC) devices for the measurement of prothrombin time (PT) are available and have been tested in a variety of situations, including hemorrhagic surgery. The authors compared a POC device, the Coaguchek XS Pro (F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Basel, Switzerland), with laboratory measures for determining the PT in military trauma patients in a field hospital.This single-center prospective study was designed to compare POC coagulation monitoring with traditional laboratory testing. It was conducted at the French military hospital located at Kabul International Airport. All patients with trauma injuries resulting from war operations were included. A blood sample was drawn immediately on admission. PT was determined both in the laboratory and with use of the Coaguchek XS pro.Forty patients with war trauma were enrolled during a 3-month period. The authors recorded 69 measurements. The two methods were correlated with a correlation coefficient of 0.78 (p.001). The Bland-Altman plot showed a mean difference of 5.8% (95% confidence interval ?14.9% to 26.6%). Using a PT cutoff of 60%, POC had a sensitivity of 77.1% and a specificity of 94.1%. RESULTS from POC PT measurement were available within a mean of 25.8 minutes before laboratory measures.The Coaguchek XS Pro device can be used successfully in an austere environment without compromising its performance.

Background Management of critically ill patients in austere environments is a logistic challenge. Availability of oxygen cylinders for the mechanically ventilated patient may be difficult in such a context. A solution is to use a ventilator able to function with an oxygen concentrator. Objectives We tested the SeQual Integra™ (SeQual, San Diego, CA) 10-OM oxygen concentrator paired with the Pulmonetic System ® LTV 1000 ventilator (Pulmonetic Systems, Minneapolis, MN) and evaluated the delivered fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO 2 ) across a range of minute volumes and combinations of ventilator settings. Methods Two LTV 1000 ventilators were tested. The ventilators were attached to a test lung and FiO 2 was measured by a gas analyzer. Continuous-flow oxygen was generated by the OC from 0.5 L/min to 10 L/min and injected into the oxygen inlet port of the LTV 1000. Several combinations of ventilator settings were evaluated to determine the factors affecting the delivered FiO 2 . Results The LTV 1000 ventilator is a turbine ventilator that is able to deliver high FiO 2 when functioning with an oxygen concentrator. However, modifications of the ventilator settings such as increase in minute ventilation affect delivered FiO 2 even if oxygen flow is constant on the oxygen concentrator. Conclusions The ability of an oxygen concentrator to deliver high FiO 2 when used with a turbine ventilator makes this method of oxygen delivery a viable alternative to cylinders in austere environments when used with a turbine ventilator. However, FiO 2 has to be monitored continuously because delivered FiO 2 decreases when minute ventilation is increased.

INTRODUCTION: Few data are available about pediatric cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the Horn of Africa. The objective of this study was to describe the spectrum of CVD in children in Djibouti. METHODS: Clinical features and management of Djiboutian children between 1 month-old and 15 year-old with CVD were prospectively recorded over a two-year period in Bouffard Military Hospital in Djibouti (January 2009- December 2010). RESULTS: Clinical examination and echocardiography were performed on 156 patients: 32 of them (20 %) had CVD. Three (10%) of them had Down's syndrome. The median age was 5 years (male 53%). Congenital heart disease was observed in 27 (84%) patients and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in 5 (16%) patients including 2 patients with rheumatic valvular disease. Ventricular septal defect was frequent (28%). Other abnormalities were atrial septal defect (13%), Tetralogy of Fallot (9%), pulmonary stenosis (6%) and 3 other patients had multiple congenital anomalies condition. Surgical management was required in 22 (69%) patients and was performed on 15 (47%) cases. During follow up (mean 11.3 ± 6.8 months), 5 (16%) patients died. Absence of surgery was associated with significant mortality (p > 0.05) but age, sex and mean follow up were not. CONCLUSION: Pediatric CVD is at least as common in this Djiboutian community as in other African cohorts. The absence of surgery was a major mortality risk factor. DCM was frequent in this study. Much work remains to be done to discover the size and nature of genetic and environmental contributions to these various forms of heart diseases in the Horn of Africa.

The aim of this study is to prospectively compare the accuracies of transcranial color-coded sonography (TCCS) and transcranial Doppler (TCD) in the diagnosis of elevated intracranial pressure.A prospective, blinded, head-to-head comparison of TCD and TCCS methods using intracranial pressure (ICP) measured continuously via an intraparenchymal catheter as the reference standard in 2 groups of 20 neurocritical care patients each: high ICP (group 1) and normal ICP (group 2). Middle cerebral artery (MCA) pulsatility index (PI) recordings from all patients' sonographic reports were selected based on the highest left or right recorded MCA PI. Transcranial Doppler was performed using a dedicated TCD device, and TCCS was performed using a portable ultrasound system.The PI values obtained did not differ significantly between the 2 methods (group 1, P = .46; group 2, P = .11). Linear regression analysis identified a significant relationship between PI obtained with both methods (r = 0.897; P.0001). The duration of PI measurement was statistically longer with TCCS than TCD (group 1, P.01; group 2, P.01). Diagnostic accuracies were good and similar for both methods (TCD area under curve, 0.901; TCCS area under curve 0.870; P = .69).This work is a pilot study comparing TCCS and TCD in the detection of elevated ICP. This study suggests that a bedside portable ultrasound system may be useful to determine MCA PI with accuracy similar to that of a dedicated TCD device.

Background Hypothermia remains one of the major factors limiting surgery in extensively burned patients. We evaluated the effectiveness of an intravascular rewarming technique using CoolGard 3000™ system and Icy™ catheter to maintain normothermia during surgeries of severe burned patients and compared these findings to a historical control group. Methods This was a controlled non-randomised trial conducted between March 2008 and August 2009. Patients with burns greater than or equal to 40% of the total body surface area were included. Before the first burn excision, the Icy™ catheter was placed in the inferior vena cava via the femoral vein. Warming was then initiated and maintained until the bladder temperature reached over 37.5 °C. The bladder temperature was recorded every 30 min during surgery and for the first hour post-operatively and compared to a historical control group. Results We enrolled 4 patients and 11 surgeries in the CoolGard™ group and compared them to 3 patients and 10 surgeries in the historical cohort. All intraoperative bladder temperatures from T = 30 were statistically different in the two groups. In the CoolGard™ group, no patient became hypothermic and no surgery was aborted because the patient's temperature had rapidly fallen below the threshold temperature (35.5 °C). No device-related complication was reported. Conclusion The use of an intravenous warming catheter is a novel approach to maintain normothermia during surgery in burn victims and may be more effective than traditional methods.

SummaryWe describe a case of tracheobronchial inhalation of a bead by a five-year-old girl in Djibouti. The bead was extracted using a Fogarty balloon catheter passed through the rigid bronchoscope without complication. This kind of accident is not exceptional and we discuss the management of such cases with limited diagnostic tools and therapeutic environments.

We report a case of trismus caused by tetanus in an 80-yr-old woman who developed severe and painful masseter spasms during which she violently bit the tip of her tongue with her dentures. Bilateral mandibular blocks were performed to remove the dentures. The patient fully recovered. We suggest that mandibular blocks are a useful tool in the management of oral events during trismus in conscious patients.